Apparatus for moistureproofing packages and the like



5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 15, 1925 H. G. ECKSTEN, JR

APPARATUS FOR IMOISTUREPROOFING PACKAGES AND THE LIKE- July 16, 1929.

July 16 1929 i H. G. EcKs'rElN, JR. 1.720.783

APPARATUS FOR MOISTUREPROOFING PACKAGES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 15,- 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 16, 1929. H. G. EcKsTElN, JR

APPARATUS FOR MOISTUREPROOFING PACKAGES AND THE LIKE A 5 Sheets-Sheet .3

Filed Aug. l5, 1925 l illallilllllsl July 16 1929- H. G. EcKsTElN, JR 4 1,720,783

APPARATUS FOR MOISTUREPROOFING XACKAGES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. l5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 APPARATUS FOR MOISTUREPROOFING PACKAGES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 15, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 55 coat.

l Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENrol-Flca HENRY G. IECKSTEIN, JR., F .CHICAGOy ILLINOIS'. l

APPARATUS.iron. MoIsTUBEPnooFING PACKAGES Am) THE LIKE.

Application med August 15, 1925. serial No. 50,353.

,The present invention relates to apparatus for moisture-proofing packages and other articles, and seeks to provide means for rapidly and economical-ly applying a uniform, super- -icial coat or film of paraffin wax or the like tothe packages or articles Ato be rendered moisture-proof. More particularly the invention seeks to provide improved means for applying a moisture-tight coat or' film of parltin wax .or the like to small paper packages employed for marketing confectionery, food products or the like, and which are usually made up of an inner carton lenclosed in a sealed paper wrapper.

separately coating dierent portions of each package while the same fis sustained during each such coating operation by. a portion .which is not coated at that particular opera- 2 0I tion, together with means for autpmatically positioning and changing the position of the packages so'that different portions of each package, vother than those engaged by the package-supporting devices, are exposed for treatment at he different coating operations.

- The invention further provides improved means whereby the different portions or opposite ends of each package are coated by se arately dipping the same in melted para n wax or the like, together with means for automatically positioning the packages so that opposite end portions'thereof are presented lowermost and below the package-supportingdevices atl the different dipping operations.

Vith such improved means, the package-supporting devices do not become coated .with wax, a more uniform coat is applied and particularly to .the ends of the packages than would be possible if the packages were sub- 40 mitted to a single coating or dipping operation. Y Other features of the invention consist in providing means for dipping the packages while they are sustained in position slightly' inclined to the vertical, and whereby the portions of the packages are immersed for only a few seconds inthe melted wax so as to avoid over-heating, and then slowly withdrawn so that an effective moisture-proofing coat is applied to the surfaces thereof.,i Another feature of the presentinvention consists in providing means for jarring or inverting the packages after each coating or dipping operation to facilitate the formation of a uniform The improvement also provides improved package carrying and holding means '.,ferred forms in The present invention provides means for' These and other'features of the invention are hereinafter described, illustrated in the prel the accompanying drawings, and more pended claims.

' In the drawings :V

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the forward end of the preferred form of the improved apparatus wlth the adjacent side frame removed and certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 1a is a similar view of the opposite end of the apparatus. l, i'

Figs. 2 and 2 are detail viewsvon an enlarged scale of partsshown in'Fig. 1, but in changed position, portions being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross line 3-3 of. Fig. 1.

package holders.

of the operating cams:

The machine frame comprises "forward,v

particularly pointed out in the ap-k Figs. 5', 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are detail views section taken on 16 at theopposite ends o'f the machine and Vhaving.; horizontal upper and lower reaches.

The sprocket-wheels 16 are mounted on shafts 17 and 18 j ournaled respectively in the upper end portionsof the frames 10 and 12. To properly tighten the chains, the shaft 18 is mounted in adjustable boxes 19. Preferably as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the upper and lower reaches of the carrier chains are arranged to engage guide rails 20. l

A series of package holders extend transversely between the chains and, as more clearly shown inFig. 4, each holder is connected to the chains by pivot pins 21 sothat it can tilt on a Vtransverse horizontal axis. Each of these holders comprises two transverse members or bars 22 and 23, the bar 22 having a series of laterally projecting spaced tingers 24 and end members 25. l The pivot pins 21 are connected to the end members 25 and bolts 26 extend through these end members and through the end -of the bar 23. Springs 27 n these tous normally hold alabar 23 in engagement with the ends of the bar or member 22, but permit thej separation in horizontal direction of the two members ofeach holder. The fingers 24 form spaces for receiving 'the end portions of a plurality of p 28 lare provided with light springsso that while the packages will be they will not be crushed.

Each package holder aEords means for enproperly supported gaging the end portions of a number of packages and by positioning the pivoted holders the packages lnay depend downwardly-below the holders or project upwardly therefrom. To properly position the holders,- each of the lcarrying members or bars 23 is provided at its ends with rollers 29 which engage upper and lower horizontal guidebars 30 and 31,

and also4 curved guides 32 which extend around the sprocket 16', as shown in Figs. 1 and 1a. The pivot pins 21 are offset from the center line of each holder towards the transverse bar 22 thereof, so that the`action of gravity tends to hold the rollers in engagement with the horizontal guide rails 30 and 31.

The carrier chain and package holders are advanced step by' step to move and hold the packages in different operating positions by a pawl and ratchet mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel 33 fixed to the shaft 18 (see Fig. 1a) and arranged to be engaged` by a pawl 34 mounted on an arm 35 loosely hung on the shaft 18. An adjustableflink 36 connects the arm 35 to a rock arm 37 'mounted on the upper forward portion Iof Y the rear frame 12 and operated by fa camv 38 l(see Fig.

6) on the main timing or cam shaft 39. This shaft is driven through speed reducing gearing 40 from a motor shaft 41 and a spring 42 extends between the arln 37 and the shaft 41 and-.holdsthe roller on the arm,v in engagement with the cam 38. i

The cam 38 is so shaped that during a substantial half revolution of the cam shaft, the `chains and package holders remain stationary. As a vguard against accidental forward movement of the package carriers when the carrier feed mechanism is idle, the shaft 17 is provided with a ratchet wheel 43 and a cooperating retaining pawl 44 is loosely pivoted on a fixed transverse bar 45. Thispawl is raised and lowered by a link 46 having a pin and slot connection with a link 47 that connects two rock arms 48 and 49.. Rock arm 48 is loosely mounted on the transverse bar 45 (see Fig. 3) and rock arm 49 is fixed to a transverse rock shaft 50. The latter is ournaled in the ends of a pair of stationary arms when the carrier feed'mechanism is idle, re-

taining pawl 44 is loweredv into engagement with theratchet wheel 43 to hold the feed chains and package holders against forward movement. Preferably, as shown, the link 52 is formed of adjustably connected sections and it is supported intermediate its ends by a rock arm 54 pivotally mounted at its upper end on a transverse frame bar 14.

)Vhcn th'e carrier is arrested, the holders at the forward and rear ends of the lower reach of the carrier are maintained in package receiving and discharging positions ref spectively. The transverse members 22 and 23 of the holder at the forward endofy the machine are spread apart or opened to receive the packages by a pair of devices or fingers 55 which are mounted on opposite ends of therock shaft 50 (see Figs.- 1, 2 and 3). These lingers are arranged in position to engage the rollers 29 on the cross bar 23 of the package holder and, at the proper time, the fingers are oscillated by the caln 53 and the connections described between the cam and the rock shaft 50 to thereby move the member 23 and plungers 28 away froln the member 22 ofthe holder, such lnovement being effected against lthe pressure of the springs 27 which, as described, normally hold the members in closed position. The upper end portions of a series of packages are then inserted in the holders and, upon the return movement of the fingers 55,

the springs 27 restore the holder members to ferent coating or dipping positions in which the packages depend below the holders and means are' provided for effecting a limited relative vertical movement between the packages in dipping position and a bath of melted paraffin or the like to thereby immerse and then slowly withdraw the lower portions of the packages from the bath. For thispurpose a transversely disposed vertically movable tank 58 is arranged below the package'carrier lat each of1the dipping positions. The tanks are supported by pairs of parallel motion links 59 pivoted theretoand to the inner ends of the frames and 11. The lower pairs of links are provided with depending arms 60 which are connected together by rods or links 61 and the links of the lower lpair at the rear of the machine are provided with rearwardly extending arms 62 (see Figf1a) that are pivoted to the lower ends of/operating links 63. The upper 'ends of the latter are slotted, as most clearly shown in Fig.. 5, and engage the Cam shaft 37 and cams 64`on the shaft are arranged to engage rollers on the links and at the proper time elevate the tanks through the connections described. Preferably, as shown, one of the arms 62 is provided with a weight 65 which partially counterbalances the vertical movable tanks and the liquid parailin' carried thereby. t

When the machine is in operation the tanks arefilled with'melted para-Hin wax or the like and preferably, in order that the'paralin may be maintained at a substantially uniform temperature and at a substantially constantlevel in the tanks, melted paraiiin is continuously circulated therethrough. `For this purpose a fixed supply. tank 66 .having suitable steam coils or other means wfor melting the parailin, is provided and a suitable pump 67 in the tank delivers the melted` paraflin through a supply pipe 68. The latter extends upwardly from the supply tank and has horizontally extended branches 69 rovided with downturned ends positionedagove the open ends of two vertical pipe sections 70 which are connected to and communicate with the lower portions of the movable tanks. The latter are also provided with overflow pipes 7l which extend. laterally from the movable tanks and have downturnedendsarranged to discharge into the supply tank 66. In this way melted paraffin is constantly circulated through the vertical movable tanks 58 when p the machine is in operation and is maintained at substantially constant levels therein. Preferably also the temperature is maintained substantially constant by regulating the heat;

ing means at the supply tank. It is desirable, in order to insure proper drainage of the excess paraffin, that the temperature be maintained at a point considerably-above the melting point of the paran employed.

ping operation the packages be sustained in.

a position slightly inclined to the vertical. For this purpose the lower guide rails 31 are "provided with raisedportions or cam lugs 72 and 73l (see Figs. 2 and 2n), engage the rollers of the package holders in dipping positions arfd tilt the. same and the packages carried thereby so that the latter are *slightly inclined to the vertical. This arrangement prevents the`trapping of air bubbles beneath the lower ends of the packages and also "assists in the draining of the excess wax from the lower corners or edges of the packages'.

The package holders, when advanced from dipping positions, are nextbrought to rest above a pair of tilting devices 77 and 7 8 which are pivotally mounted in gaps formed in the lower guide rails 31. The tilting device 77 (see Fig. la) is connected by a link 79 to the lower end of abell crank 80 and this crank and thetilting devicep78 are connected byV links 81 and 82 to arms 83 and 8.4 on a rock shaft 85. The rock arm 88 is connected to y of which is slotted to engage vthe cam shaft 89 and is provided with a roller engaging a cam 87 on the shaft. When the holders are brought to rest above the tilting devices, the

latter are actuated by the cam '87 to tilt the holders and rotate them and the packages carried thereby through a half revolution, such movements being arrested by the engagement.

of the rollers 29 of the holders with the guide rails 3l. This movement jars the packages so that any small drops of uncongealed paraffin are thrown ofi' and also by inverting the packages after dipping, the paraiiin coat is more uniformly distributed.y After each such titling operation each series of packages is arrested in a number of idle positions so that ample opportunity is afforded for the chilling and complete solidication of the applied coating.

Just before the packages reach the second dipping position they are arrested above 'a fixed transverse support or plate 89 and the holder in this position is opened so that the package may 'drop on the plate 89 and the grip of the holder change from one en d to the other of the packages. This o ening of the f holder vis effected by a pair ofl ngers 90 pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine and connected by a pair of cross-bars91 and 92. The cross bar 91 is connected to the Aforward end of a link 93 and the latter has a at its ends to the upper portions of the pivoted fingers. It is so positioned that when a holder is opened by the fingers, it will engage the upper ends of the packages and detach them from the holder in case there is any slight sticking of the packages therein. Of

course when the fingers 90 return to normal position, the holders "engage the then upper ends of thepackages and the latter, at lthe next operation of the machine, are moved to the next dipping position.'

The filled, wrapped and sealed packages are delivered to the machine by a series of feed belts 94 carried by pulleys 95 and passing over a feed table 96 between a series of guide .bars 97. The belts are intermittently driven from the shaft 17 by suitable connecting gearing.

The packages to be delivered are placed onv end on the feed beltsand between the guides and a number of series of packages, corre sponding in number to the package-receiving spaces of each holder, are advanced by the feed belts over a stationary stripper plate 98 and on to a vertically movable feeder 99 having package-receiving spaces or pockets, one for each of the feed chutes formed by the guides 97. The vertically movable feeder 99 is carried by uprights 100, and the latter are supported on pairs of parallel movement links or arms 101. Normally the lower ends of the arms 100 rest upon adjustable stops 102. `When the adjacent .tank 58 is elevated, lugs 1'03 thereonv engage screw bolts 104 adjustably fixed to the upper ends of the arms 100 and raise the feeder and packages thereon into position between the members of the holder in receiving position. In order that the vertical movement of the feeder may not disturb the packages onthe plate 98, a cross bar is arranged to extend over the packages on this plate.

The packages delivered from the rear end of the machine are carried away by a belt 106 passing over pulleys 107 and constantly driven by sprocket gearing 108 from the vcam shaft 39. This belt passes beneath a series of guides 109 forming discharge chutes for the packages. A transverse shaft 110 adjacent and above the inner end of the discharge feed belt is provided with a series of rearwardly projecting arms 111. A rock arm 112 on the shaft is connected to a link 113 and the upper forward end of this link is slotted to receive the cam shaft 39 and a cam 114 co-operates with a roller on the link to raise and lower the arms 111. In the upper position of the' the holder in the discharging position through charge position is opened, the arms 111 are lowered and assist in properly depositing the coated Vpackages upon the belt 106. vPreferably also the arms 111 are provided with light spring fingers 115 which engage the vertical 70 rear edges of the packages and assist in de-` positing the latter on end upon the discharge belt.

The present machinev is particularly designed for operation upon elongated,-rectan 75 gular packages, consisting of an inner filled carton enclosed in a paper wrapper, theI` folds ofiwhich are securely-sealed. 4Preferably a paraflin wrapper is employed and its folds sealedK by the application of heat. In operso ation, the filled, wrapped and sealed packages are placed in any suitable manner in vertical position upon the feed belts 94. The cams on the shaft 39 are so disposed that, when the carrier feed mechanism is in opera- 85 tion, the parts of the other mechanisms are in their normal idle positions shown in Figs. 1 and la. The intermittent operation of the carrier fee-d mechanism advances the package holders on the lower reaches of the carrier 9o chains successively through the package-receiving, the vfirst dipping and the first tilting positions, as shown in Fig. 2, in vwhich ligure the operating parts are shown in their shifted positions. The holders and packages carried 95 thereby then move through a series of idle positions',.as stated, so that time-is afforded for the cooling and setting ofthe coat applied byf the first dipping oper-ation. The holders and packages then move successively through the 10o grip-changing, the second dipping and the second package-tilting positions, as shown in Fig. 2, in which the parts are shown in their shifted or operated positions. The holders and packages then again ass through a num- 105 ber of idle positions to tllfe discharging position and when the holders in the latter position .are opened the packages carried thereby are deposited, as described, on :the belt 106 and are carried away thereby.

During operation, the pump 67 continuously forces hot melted parafiin through the supply pipes 68 and 69 and into pipe sections 70 of the vertically movable dipping tanks 58, and the parafiin returns from the dipping 115 tanks to the supply tank through the overflow pipe 71. Whenthe tanks are raised, as shown in Figs. 2 and 2a, supply pipes 68 and 69 telescope within the upper ends of the pipe sections 70. In this way a slow continuous circulation at a constant level is maintained in the vertically movable dipping tanks, and, by properly regulating the application of heat at the supply tank, the temperature of the melted paraffin inthe dipping tanks may be maintained at the desired uniform temperature. Preferably, as stated, this temperature is considerably,V above the melting point of the parafiin used to` insure proper drainage. To prevent the packages from undulyazhill- 13o i ing the paraiiin in the dipping tanks, the latof the package-holders is avoided and the latter in no way interfere with the uniform coating of the packages. The means employed for separately dipping, draining and cooling the opposite end portions of filled elongated packagesalso insure the economi,- cal, uniform`coating thereof without waste of para-Hin, and particularly at the end folds from t-he scope of the invention as set forth of the wrappers. While the separately applied coats preferably overlap, they may if desired, be applied only to the opposite end 'portions of the packages to seal the end joints or folds. The mechanism for conveying the packages in coating the same by means of vertically movable tanks is such that the output is high and at the same time the movements alle, for the most part, quite slow, ample time being afforded for the application and chilling of the paraffin coating.

Changes may be made in the details set forth and parts taken without the adoption of the apparatus in entirety, withoutdeparture in the claims.

I claim as my invention: l 1. In apparatus for applying moistureproof coating to filled packages, the combination of means for successively applying melted parailin or the like to one end and to portions only of the sides of each of the packages while the same is sustained by the opposite end portion, and mechanism for automatically positioning the packages and inverting the same to present a different end portion of each of the packages for treatment at the successive coating operations.

2. In apparatus for moisture-,proofing filled packages, the combination of means for successwel dipping a portion only of coach of the pac ages in a bath of melted parafn or the like while the same is sustained by another portion, and mechanism for automatically positioning the packages and inverting the same to present a'diferent port-ion of each of the packages to the bath at the successive dip-ping operations.

3. In apparatus for moisture-proofing zifilled packages, the combination of means for successively dipping each of the packages, a portion at a time,`in a bath of melted parafin or thelike, including supporting devices position.

for the packages, means for automatically positioning the packages in the supporting devices, andmeans for 'automatically inverting' the packages and for changing'l the grip ofthe supporting devices from one portion to another of each package between the successive dipping operations. c In apparatus for moisture-proofing filled packages, the combination of supporting devices for the packages, means for effecting a limited relative vertical movement between the supporting devicesand a bath of melted paraiiin or the like to dip only the portions-of packagesbbelow the supporting devices, and mechanism for automatically inverting the packages and changing the grip of the supporting devices thereon between successive dipping operations.

5. In apparatus for moisture-proofing elongated filled packages, the combination of holders for sustaining the packages'in vertical position, means for successively effecting a limited relative vertical movement between the supporting devices and a bath of melted Aparaliin or the like to dip only the lower portions of the packages below the supporting devices,

means for feeding the packages to the holders and effecting the engagement of the latter with one end of each package, and means of inverting the holders and changing the grip of the holders on the packages from one end to 'the other between the successive dipping operations.

6. In apparatusI of the class described, the combination of carrier means for advancing the articles to two different dipping positions, means for. positioning the-packages in the carrier means and for inverting the same to present different portions of the packages below the carrier means inthe different dipping positions, and means fpr effecting a limited rela- 'tive vertical movement between the packages in dipping position paraflin or the like.

7 In apparatus for moisture-proofing elongated iilledpackages, the combination of carrier means, package holders thereon .for engaging one end of each package and supportand a bath of melted ing the same in vertical position, means for advancing the carrier means to move the packages to two different dipping positions, means for effecting a relative vertical movement between the packages in dipping position and a bath of melted paraflin or the like, means for' inverting the holders ,after each dipping operation, and means for shifting the engagement of the holders from one end to the other in advance iof the second dipping C8. In capparatus for moisture-proofing packages, the combination of each of a. cai*- rier, package holders movably mounted thereon, means for intermittently advancing the carrier to moye the packages to two different dipping positions, means for effecting a lnnlted relative movement between the packages in the dipping positions and a bath of melted paraffin or the like, means for g/uiding the iholders to maintain the packages in the dipping positions substantially vertical and depending belowfthe holders, means for inverting the holders and the packages supported thereby after Aeach dipping operation and means for opening the holders to receive and discharge the packages andto change the grip of theholders from one end to 'the other of' the packages between the dipping operations.

9. In apparatus of. the class described, an endless fiexible carrier, package holders pivotally mounted thereon and each comprising` spring-pressed members for engaging a plurality of packages, means for intermittently advancing the carrier to move the packages to two dipping positions, tanks for melted paraffin or the like at such positions, means for raising and lowering the tanks, means `for guiding the pivoted holders and for inverting the same after each dipping operation and means for opening the holders to receive and discharge the packages and to change the grip thereof upon the packages betweenl the dipping operations. d

10.' In apparatus of the class described carrier means, package holders mounted thereonJ means for intermittently advancing the carrier means to move the holders to two different dipping positions, tanks1 for melted different dipping positions. v

packages on the carrier to present diffeientportions of each package lowermost in the 12. In apparatus of the class described, the vcombination of a carrier for advancing'the packages to two different dipping positions, tanks for parain or the like at' such positions, means for raising `and lowering the tanks to immerse only the portions of the package, below the carrier, means for invert- Ying the packages after each dipping operation, and means. for changing the engagement of the carrler from one portion of each package to another in advance of the second dipping operation.

13.v In apparatus of the class described, a

pair of carrier chains, transverse packagfgge holders extending between and pivotally ymounted on said chains and each comprising spring-pressed members for engaging a plurality of packages, means for intermittently advancing the chains to move the holders each successively to two different dipping positions, vertically movable tanks at such positions for immersing only the portions of the packages below the holders, guides engaging the holders for maintaining the packages in the dipping positions'substantially vertical and'depending from the holders, means for inverting the holders and packages carried thereby after each dipping operation and means for opening the holders to receive and discharge the packages and to change the grip of the holders from one end to the other of the packages before the second dipping operation. L

14. In apparatusv of the class described, the combination of a holder forsustaining the packages with the latter depending below the holder, a tank for melted parafiin or the like, means for effecting a limited relative vertical movement between said holder and said tank to immerse only the portions of the packages below the holder, means for inverting the holder after the dipping operation, and means for positioning the packages on the holder and for discharging the same therefrom.

15. In apparatus of the class-described, a

lvertically movable tank, means for circulating melted paraflin therethrough and for maintaining the level in the tank substantial- 'ly constant, a carrier forintermittently advancing the packages over said tank, means for raising and lowering the tank toimmerse only the portions of the packagesbelow the carrier, means' for feeding packages to the carrier and for discharging the same therefrom, and means co-operating with the carrier for inverting the packages after the dipping operation.

16. In apparatus of the class described, an endless flexible carrier, transverse package holders pivotally mounted thereon, a tank of melted arafin or the like below said carrier, means or intermittently advancing the carrier to move the packages todipping position over said tank, means for raising and lowering the tanky to immerse the portions only of the packages below said holders, means for guiding the holders to maintain the packages A in dipping position slightly inclined to the vertical anddepending below the holders, means for feeding packages to theholders and discharging the `same therefrom, and

means for inverting the holders after the dippin o eration.

1 n apparatus of -the class described,va pair of endless carrier chains, package holders thereon each comprising two transverse members spring-pressed towardeach other and having means for engaging one end portion of each of a plurality of packages, means for intermittently advancing the car- -rier chains to move the holders and packages to and from a dipping position, means for opening the members of the holders to receive and discharge the packages, and means for effecting a limited relative vertical movement between the holders in dipping position f individually spring-pressed plungers, means for advancing the carrier to move the holder to and froma dipping position, means for effecting a limited relative vertical move.- ment between the holder in dipping position and a bath of melted paraiin or the like, and means for separating the holder members to receive and discharge the packages.

19. In apparatus of the class described,

chains, package holders-pivotally mounted on p said chains and each comprising a pair of in dipping position in Vtransverse clamp members for engaging the end portion of each of a plurality of packages, mechanism for intermittently advancing the chains to move the holders on thpe 'lower reaches thereof to package receiving, dipping, inverting and discharging positions successively, guides for maintaining the holders in position with the packages carried thereby substantially vertical, means for opening -and closing the holders Ain receiving andv discharging positions, means for imparting a half revolution to the holder in inverting position, and a vertically movable tank for immersing the lower portionsmf the packages a bath of melted paraiin or the like.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair/of endless carrier chains, package holders pivotally mountedI on said chains and each comprising a pair of transverse clamp members for engaging the end portion of each of a plurality of packages, mechanism for intermittently advancing the chains to move the holders on the lower reaches thereof to package receiving, dipping, inverting, grip-changing, second dipping anddischarging positions successively, guides for maintaining' the pivoted .holders in position with the packages carried thereby substantially vertical, ,means for opening and closin the holders in receiving, grip-changing an discharging positions, means for imparting a'half-revolution to the holders in the package-inverting position, a support for arresting and-temporarily supporting the packages in the grip-changing position, and vertically movable taiiksiorv immersing the lower portions of the packages in the operation of'said carrier means. the combination of a pair of endless carrier in the different dipping positions in melted paraffin or the like.

21. In an apparatusfor moisture-proofing i elongated, filled packages, the combination'v of intermittently acting means for moving the packages to two different dipping positions and for holding the. same substantially vertical with opposite end portions' of the packages lowermost in the two different dipping positions, and means -for effecting alim- ;ited relative vertical movement between the packages in dipping position and a bath of. melted parain or the like.

22.' In an apparatus for moisture-proofing .elongated, filled packages, the combination of intermittently acting means for moving the packages to two diderent dipping positions and for holding the same substantially verti- 4cal with opposite end portions of the packages lowermos't 'in the two diierent dipping positions, tanks for melted paraffin or the like at the'dipping positions, and means for raising and lowering the tanks during pauses 23. Apparatus for applying moistureproof coating to packages'or the like, comtions of each package, and means for successively applying melted paraiiin or the like to the exposed portions only of each package to form overlapping coats thereon.

24. Apparatus for applyingv moistureproof coating to packages or the like, comprising means for sustaining and conveying the packages to different coating positions with one end and adjacent portions of the sides of each package exposed, means for positioning the package in saidsustaiinng and conveying means and for changing the position of the packages to expose oppo'siteend portions of each package in the dierent-coating positions and means in the different coating positions for applying melted parain or the like to the exposed portions only of each package and thereby form overlapping coats thereon.

2&5. In an 4apparatus for'applymg melted parain to elongated packages, the combination of a plurality of horizontally movable package holders disposed transversely to their paths ofmovement and each having means for grippin the upper ends of. a transverse row of pac ages and supporting the same with the packages depending below the holder, intermittently operating conveyor mechaa ltransverse series of packages with theirv i upper ends engaged with the holder in receiving position, means providing a. bathV of tion of a, pair of endless carrier chains, a

plurality of package holders mounted on and disposed transversely between said chains and cach having spring-pressed clamp members for engaging the upper end portions of a plurality of packages, intermittently operating mechanism for advancing the chains to i move the holders on the lower reaches thereof to package-receiving, dipping and discharging positions successively, ymeans for openingl and closing the clamp members of the holders in receiving and discharging positions, a package feeder for positioning a transverse series of packageswith their upper ends between the clamp members of the holder in receiving position, a tank having a limited vertical movement for immersing 4the lower portions only of the packages in diping position inl a bath of melted paraffin and mechanism for elfecting the operation of said ope ing and closing means, said package feeder and said tank during the pauses in the movement. of said carrier chains.

27, In a package dipping apparatus, the

y combination of an intermittently actuated endless conveyor for advancing the packages `interviens 'successively to two different dipping posipresent dierent Yportions below `the holdersin the different dipping positions, and means, operative during pauses in the movement 0f the conveyor, for effecting dipping of the portions of the packages below the holderpat'v the dipping positions in a coating bath.

28. In a package dipping apparatus, the combination of an open top dipping tank, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having one of its reaches traveling towards and away from the tank with a portion of said reach traveling in a substantially horizontal direction above and across the Iopen top of the tank, said conveyor including means for holding packages at their upper portions with the packages depending therefrom, means for effecting relative vertical movement between the tank and the conveyor to dip the depending portions of the packages below said reach of the conveyor in the tank when the conveyor is stationary, means for inverting the package holders on the conveyor after the dipping operation; and means for lowering the inverted and dipped packages in the holders to bring the undipped portions thereof belowthe aforesaid reach of the conveyor. 

